Time to read: 5 minutes
Date: December 20, 2022
Now that winter is in full swing, cold snaps are imminent. There is a big winter storm that is projected to occur in the next week during the holidays and knowing what to do can save you a lot of trouble. Texas has become a bit of a mixed bag when it comes to winter weather.
So far this year, we’ve had weeks where the temperature never went below 70 degrees only to suddenly be hit with rain and low 40 degree weather. It’s important to note that even if it’s chilly now, Texas usually doesn’t get its coldest months until around January. Extreme cold snaps and winter storms can knock out power, meaning that heating systems, medical responses, supply lines, and water systems can be slowed down or even knocked out.
As an example, supply chains were disrupted very badly during Winter Storm Uri. Stores had to throw out tons of spoiled food because there was no power to refrigerate anything. This, coupled with the fact that trucks couldn’t travel in the extreme weather or would get into massive traffic accidents, caused temporary shortages in supplies like food and fuel.
In this article, we’ll be going over some easy ways that you can prepare for a winter cold snap that could knock out power in your area.
Food and Water
This is especially important. When power gets knocked out, the stores are likely to be out of power as well. Heading to the nearest grocery store, Sam’s Club, or Costco before the storm arrives to get everything you need is a great way to make sure that you get enough of what you need before winter power outages occur. Remember to take only what you need, as other people will need supplies as well.
- Stock up on water, canned beverages, and non-perishable foods like canned fruits, vegetables, meats, soups and peanut butter. Foods that store well for a long time like power bars are also a great option
- Be sure to also store some pet food for your animal friends
- A full first-aid kit
- Prescription medications
- Water purification tablets
Make Sure That you Have Supplies to Keep you Warm
While it probably goes without saying, having the right clothing can keep you warm whenever it gets extremely cold, especially when the power is out.
- Blankets
- Gloves, winter hats, and other warm types of clothing
- Hand warmers are a great option as well
- Firewood if applicable
If you have a fireplace, then make sure to check that the hatch is open and that the fireplace itself is fully functional before using it.
You should also check your doors and windows for any openings. If you find any, you can use spare blankets or clothes to block them to keep heat from escaping your home while keeping the cold out. You can also use sealing tape.
Stock up on Important Supplies to use During the Outage
There are several things that you should stock up on aside from food, water, and medical supplies.
- Batteries for essential electronics and tools
- Flashlights and electric lanterns
- Shovels
- Ice melt for your driveway and sidewalks
- A battery powered radio
Ice melt is especially useful if you can’t avoid going outside. You can use it to keep ice off of your sidewalks so you can reduce the risk of slipping and falling. It’s also excellent for getting rid of ice in your driveway. You can usually pick Ice Melt up at your local hardware store.
Charge Your Electrical Devices
This is especially important. Having a working cell phone or computer during a power outage can be extremely helpful. Unless you already have backup batteries or a home standby generator installed, you will need to put plans in place to power your electronics.
- When there is a possibility of a power outage, charge all your devices and battery banks if you have them.
- During a power outage, only use your cell phone and devices when necessary. This would be for things like checking boil water notices, road closures, weather conditions, status of the current outage, or contacting friends and loved ones.
- Portable charging banks/battery banks can also be a very helpful tool. Purchasing one and keeping it full just in case can give you a big advantage in an extreme weather situation.
Hypothermia and Frostbite
Two big things that you need to watch out for during a long power outage during cold weather are hypothermia and frostbite. During Winter Storm Uri, some Texans were without power for several days during very low temperatures. Be on the lookout for the symptoms of both conditions.
If you or someone else is experiencing these symptoms then seek medical attention IMMEDIATELY.
According to Ready South Texas, in the case of symptoms of hypothermia, be sure to get the person to a warm area immediately. You should also remove wet clothing, warm the center of the body, and give them warm, non-alcoholic beverages if they are conscious. Once again, if you or someone else is experiencing these symptoms, seek medical attention immediately.
Preparing your home
There are a few things that you should do in order to make sure that your home doesn’t get damaged by the extreme cold
- Allow faucets to drip to avoid burst pipes
- Place covers on external water faucets and pipes
- DO NOT attempt to heat your home with your stove or any other kind of gas powered heater.
- Use Ice Melt to keep your sidewalks and driveway from icing over.
- If you have a sprinkler system or a pool, talk to your sprinkler tech about what to do when the weather becomes extremely cold.
Prepare by Installing a Backup Energy Source
We strongly recommend installing a Generac® home standby generator to keep your home powered in the event of a power outage. A home standby generator can keep your home powered for weeks at a time while keeping everything in your home powered. Cold snaps and power outages are inevitable, but they don’t have to be your problem.
Start your conversation with our team today to design the best backup power plan for you!
If you are considering switching to solar for your home or business, or if you have questions about your system, reach out to us by going to our website, iestxsolar.com, or by giving us a call at (855) 447-6527.
Sources:
https://www.readysouthtexas.gov/Know-Your-Risks/Natural-Hazards/Winter-Weather#240052402-during
https://www.aad.org/public/everyday-care/injured-skin/burns/prevent-treat-frostbite#:~:text=If%20you%20experience%20symptoms%20of%20frostbite%2C%20try%20to,turn%20gray%2C%20go%20to%20an%20emergency%20room%20immediately
